The sun beamed down on the hundreds of family and friends of Alex Hopwood who each donned an item of yellow for her funeral.

A tide of brightly coloured scarves, ties, jackets, bows and flowers could be seen throughout the pews of St Mary’s Parish Church in Hinckley as Alex’s loved ones came together to celebrate her life.

As each person walked through the church doors they were presented with a little butterfly in a dainty, golden pouch as sombre notes were played on the organ.

The 24-year-old’s coffin was carried in an elegant white carriage drawn by two beautiful white horses, their heads adorned with vibrant plumes of yellow feathers.

The 17 hands-high Gelderlanders geldings with their natural high stepping gait struck a breathtaking sight as they bore the young woman’s white coffin with its golden butterfly tracings to St Mary’s and then afterwards to the Ashby Road cemetery, with a stream of mourners following in their wake.

Organised through AJ Carriages of Nuneaton, the 15-year-old steeds bore the names, Trouble and Strife but were impeccable in their duties as hundreds gathered to say goodbye to Alex and celebrate her short but inspirational life.

Alex Hopwood

The service began with the song I See Fire by Ed Sheeran as her coffin was brought into the church.

The Reverend John Whittaker held the introductions and the congregation sang the hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful.

He then read a eulogy Alex’s life, put together by her close family and friends.

He said: “Alex lived her life to the full. She lived a rich, beautiful and full life.

“‘If you did not laugh you would cry’ - those are the words which Alex would have spoken if she were here today.”

He explained that when was a small child she loved playing with her rabbits, creating dance routines with her beloved cousin Laura and going horse riding.

He went on to describe how she went travelling around the globe with her friends before she became ill.

He said: “She was a very thoughtful, caring and loving girl.

“When she was doing her travelling she kept in close contact with her family and friends. Whenever she heard I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas she would call her mum so they could share a special moment together.

“Alex discovered that time with family is very priceless. Becoming an auntie to Isla-Mai helped her battle with cancer.

“She coped with it much better than many of us would have done. Her dad always asked her how she coped and she said ‘I don’t have any choice, I just have to get on with it.’

“She created her own charity A Gift to Lift which is still raising funds today. It gave her a real focus for the future.

Alex Hopwood from Hinckley

“She managed to smile and lived life to the full and while she lived her life she was still thinking of others and worked on her charity right up to two days before she died.”

Her mother Jacky, father Peter, and cousin Laura then read out touching poems they had written themselves.

Her mother read: “We lived each day together, hardly ever apart, that special bond we had.

“I know you are here right now, telling me not to be sad, and live the life I have, the sun will shine again.”

Peter Hopwood read: “I feel lost for words or quirky script, for your flying away has left me bereft.

“My sunshine now gone, I feel only pain, but I know that your spirit will ever remain.”

Tributes were paid by two of Alex’s friends, who described some of the memories they’d shared together.

A slideshow was then shown, with pictures of Alex in places she had visited as part of her bucket list, to the music of I Lived by One Republic.

Alex Hopwood with some of the friends and family that went with her to Las Vegas

Rev Whittaker read the Lord’s Prayer before the hymn He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands was sung.

In the yellow order of service, pages and pages were dedicated to loving tributes to Alex.

A message from Aaron and Nicole read: “Alex, she was an inspiration to us all. Words cannot do her justice. Truly the most amazing person I ever met.”

Another, from Mike, said: “I’m honoured to have been related to such an inspirational person, she was truly beautiful inside and out. I have never met such an amazing person, she was one of a kind.”

The service ended with Standing in the Dark by Lawson and as people emerged into the sunlight, the tears flowed freely for a woman whose inspiration and spirit will live on.